AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT	CASE NUMBER

FD-2016-00572	

GENERAL: The applicant was discharged on 22 Sep 16 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an uncharacterized Entry Level Separation for Adjustment Disorder. The applicant appealed for a change to the discharge narrative reason.  The board was conducted on 26 Oct 17.

The applicant was offered a personal appearance before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), but declined and requested the board be completed based on a records only review. The applicant was not represented by counsel.

Pursuant to 10 USC §1553, the board included a member who is a clinical psychiatrist with training on mental health issues connected with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), and training on mental health disorders.

The attached examiner’s brief (provided to applicant only), extracted from available service records, contains pertinent data regarding the circumstances and character of the applicant’s military service.

FINDING: The DRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to change the discharge narrative reason.

DISCUSSION: The DRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the characterization of service and the reason for discharge if such changes are warranted. If applicable, the board can also change the applicant’s reenlistment eligibility code. In reviewing discharges, the board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the applicant. The board completed a thorough review of the circumstances that led to the discharge and the discharge process to determine if the discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.

The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper, but claimed the discharge narrative reason was incorrect on her DD Form 214.  She did not provide any supporting documentation.

The DRB noted the applicant was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood while in technical training and an Air Force psychiatrist determined her mental health condition was severe enough to significantly impair her ability to serve. Therefore, the board determined the narrative reason for her discharge was appropriate. The DRB also noted that in accordance with AFI 36-3208, Airmen are in entry level status during the first 180 days of continuous active military service. If separated during this time, they normally receive an Entry Level Separation that is not characterized.

After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist, the DRB found no conclusive indication that any mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's discharge.

CONCLUSION: The board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge narrative reason. Therefore, the narrative reason received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate and her request was not approved.

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 21 Nov 17. If desired, the applicant can request a list of the board members and their votes by writing to: SAF/MRBR (CITU), 550-C Street West, Suite 41, Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4743.	

Attachment: Examiner's Brief